George Schaff, 91, Dickinson, ND, formerly of Belfield, ND, died Sunday, January 6, 2008 at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Health Center, Dickinson with his family by his side. George’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, January 10, 2008 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Jeff Zwack as the celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Belfield with military honors provided by the Belfield American Legion William C. Blair Post #144. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a rosary and vigil at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service.
George was born June 6, 1916 at Ryegate, MT the son of Jack and Rose (Obrigewitch) Schaff. He grew up in the Belfield area and attended grade school in rural country schools, high school in Belfield, and received his teaching degree from Dickinson State Teachers College. He taught school in Billings County Schools for 3 1/2 years before enlisting in the United States Army during WWII.
George returned to the Belfield area where he married Mary Hecker at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church on January 9, 1946. They farmed for a number of years south of Fryburg before moving to Belfield in 1965. He was the owner of the Cave Bar in Medora for a number of years. He then owned and operated the bowling alley and café in Belfield until retirement.
George and Mary moved to Dickinson in 2001. Mary died in August 2006 and George continued to live in Dickinson until the time of his death.
George was a member of the Belfield American Legion and the Belfield Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed playing baseball as a youth and was an avid baseball fan. He enjoyed bowling, woodworking, gardening, fishing, playing pinochle and spending time with his grandchildren.
George is survived by his children, Larry (Vicky) Schaff, Watford, City, ND, Gerald Schaff, Gillette, WY, Sandy (Dave) Crawford, Watertown, SD, Sheila Schaff, Denver, CO, Connie (Don) Dewey, Helena, MT, Anna (Rod) Heupel, Tacoma, WA, Susann (Keith) Wolf, Belfield, Rose Cusack, Aurora, CO, Karen Weinhardt, Gillette, WY, and Sharon (Cary) Decker, Dickinson; son-in-law, Ralph Hoerner, Billings, MT; 24 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Hilda Wanner, Victoria Hecker and Caroline Hecker. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, daughter, Debbie Hoerner, son Leland Schaff, son-in-law, Daniel Dennis, granddaughter Jennifer Dennis, and brothers, Ed, Walter and John Schaff.
